Spout for container

ABSTRACT

A spout or spigot for use with a receptacle containing liquids wherein a valve member is prestressed against a dispensing opening to thereby limit liquid flow except by relieving the prestressed condition by squeezing of a tubular member.

United States Patent lnventor Frank T. Parish [56] References Cited 313 Brooklawn, Frederick, Md. 21701 UNITED STATES PATENTS Appl. NO- 757,903 i 1,361,419 12/1920 Tucker 222/498X Fi ed p 6, 1968 2,637,468 /1953 222/sx Patented 9, 1971 3,241,727 3/1966 222/51sx 3,297,206 1/1967 222/105 3,349,965 10/1967 222/105X 3,356,267 12/1967 222/213 3,454,198 7/1969 Flynn 222/402.22X Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg SPOUT FOR Assistant ExaminerNorman L. Stack, J1. 8 Chin, 11 Drawing Figs. Attorney-Rob1llard and Byrne U.S. Cl. 222/213,

222/498, 222/518 ABSTRACT: A spout or spigot for use with a receptacle con- Int. Cl. B65d 37/00 taining liquids wherein a valve member is prestressed against a Field of Search 222/ 183, dispensing opening to thereby limit liquid flow except by re- 215, 490, 553; 222/498, 105, 213, 518, 402.22, lieving the prestressed condition by squeezing of a tubular 510 member.

l0 l6 l5 3 I2 ,la F I/I/I/I/I/I/\I I/I I I l 44 46 j SPOU'I FOR CONTAINER This invention relates to a spout or spigot for use with a liquid container of relatively large dimensions consisting of a suitable plastic bag of material such as polyethylene which, in turn, is supported within a corrugated carton. A hole is provided in the carton and in the polyethylene bag in which a disposable spout is secured. For maximum commercial advantage, the spout must be sufficiently inexpensive that it may be discarded with the bag and the carton upon all of the fluid being emptied therefrom. The use of such large containers for home milk deliveries has been seriously limited because of the difficulty in providing a suitable nondrop spout which is sufficiently inexpensive.

An objective of this invention is to provide a nondrop and nondrip spout which is exceptionally simple in construction and is inexpensive enough for a one-use environment.

Another important objective of the invention is to provide a spout of the type described made of only two pieces and which is readily mounted to the container for which, it is adapted for use.

A further objective of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive dispenser valve which is operable upon a mere squeezing thereof and which automatically reverts to the ball-shaped valve member which is prestressed against the dispensing opening and automatically orients itself therewith.

A still further important objective of this invention is to provide a spout member through which containers and receptacles of the type described can be filled prior to final assembly of the spout.

Another important object of the invention is to provide improved means to permit a valve closure member to align itself with its valve seat.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a bottom exploded perspective of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the valve prior to final assembly;

FIG. 2a is an assembled side view of the elements of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a portion of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 5 is the same view as FIG. 4 with the squeezing pressure applied;

FIG. 6 is a cross section along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5 with the squeeze pressure applied;

FIG. 7 is a partial elevation showing a variation in a valve member;

FIG. 7a is a partial plan view along the line 7a-7a of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional showing a still further variation in a valve member; and

FIG. 9 is a section showing a portion of the spout assembly acting as a filling fitting.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are referred to by like numerals, the numeral 10 indicates the spigot assembly of this invention. The spigot consists of two majbr members; namely, a tubular element 12 and a plug element 14. The tubular element 12 is of a low density polyethylene and is relatively resilient. The plug or core member 14, on the other hand, is relatively hard and nondeformable and can be made of linear polyethylene. The tubular element has an outer end terminated by a collar 15 and an inner end 16 which is terminated by first and second flanges 16 and 18 which are adapted to secure the spout to a liquidcontaining receptacle 20. As seen best in FIG. 2, the liquid container is normally comprised of the combination of a corrugated box 22 and a polyethylene bag 24. The flange 18 is secured to the bag 24 by heat-sealing or other methods. The flanges l6 and 18 are disposed on opposite sides of a keyholeshaped opening 26 in box 22 and the element 12 is thereby held securely by the grasping effect of the flanges 16 and 18. The flange 16 is inserted through the large radius of opening 26 and is pulled downwardly into the slot portion for opera tion.

The collar 15 and the flange 16 are joined by the cylindrical portion 30 of the tube which is formed with a generally flat bottom or ledge 32. along a portion of its interior surface.

. Formed in the ledge 32 is a dispensing opening 34. The opening 34 is defined by the downwardly and outwardly tapered frustroconical surface 38. The upper periphery of the opening is circular and is adapted to be sealed by the lower spherical or ball-shaped end 42 of a valve stem 44. The valve stem is supported and disposed over the opening 34 by an arm 46 which extends inwardly from the plug member 14. In this unstressed condition, the longitudinal axis of arm 46 is concentric with the center axis of the tubular member 12. The plug member is formed with a ridge 50 which interlocks with the matching interiorly directed flange 52 of collar 15. This arrangement sealingly and securely holds the plug in place.

In normal use, the container is placed on a shelf, such as a refrigerator shelf 56, shown in FIG. 2. The spout 10 is disposed near the lower end of a vertical side of the container and extends outwardly toward a user. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, to cause a fluid flow the user must merely squeeze the tubular member 12 along the arrows A. This pressure elongates the vertical axis of the tubular member 30 causing the ledge 32, and consequently its opening 34, to move downwardlyaway from the surface 42. Notethat the stem 44and arm 46 remain substantially stationary. The relative hardness of the circular core isolates these squeeze pressures from the stem 44. Upon release of the pressure, the resiliency of the cylinder 12 will cause it to resume its original shape and thus the seating action will again take place. Since the plug member 14 will prevent the outer end of the cylinder from being deformed and the flanges l6 and 18 will resist deformation of its inner end, the body portion of the cylinder will regain its circular shape quite quickly.

Referring back to FIG. 2, it should be understood that during the manufacture of the components the distance between the upper surface or ledge 32 and theaxis 45 of the arm 46 is made slightly less than the distance between the axis 45 and that portion of the spherical surface 42 which engages the dispensing opening 34. This causes a slight prestressing of the surface 42 against the opening 34 prior to the lateral forces being applied. Stated otherwise, because of the natural resiliency of the material and because of the distances involved, the stem 44 and the tubular member 30 are slightly deformed in the normally closed position. This places a continuous, positive closing force between the opening 34 and its valve stem 44. As seen in FIG. 2, there is a deformation caused by this difference in construction when plug 14 is inserted into 12 prior to the stem being placed over the dispensing opening.

In FIG. 7 there is shown an embodiment of a stern construction. Although the spherical surface 42 makes an excellent sealing fit with the dispensing opening 34, the fluid stream as it moves therepast can have improved directional characteristics if a tapered stem member is inserted into the valve stem. More importantly, this reduces the available area for surface tension and gives a nondrop characteristic to the assembly.

Another variation in the sealing surface is disclosed in FIG. 8. Here, a ball 62 is captured within a cavity 64 of the valve stem 44. This variation can reduce the tolerances necessary in disposing the valve stem over the dispensing opening. In all valves of this type one of the most critical features is to provide means whereby the valve member will be self-orienting with respect to its dispensing opening. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 7a, the arm 46 can be formed with a lesser lateral width 77 than its vertical height. This permits the valve stem to be selforienting in the lateral direction without substantially reducing its downward prestress. This feature can also be used, of course, in the other embodiments of the invention.

As earlier stated, a principal objective of this invention is that the container can be filled through the dispensing apparatus. This permits the container to be completely sealed except for the dispensing opening. This advantage is best illustrated by FIG. 9.

In the milk industry, a substantial foaming problem exists when filling flexible bags. Very small amounts of air entering with the milk will create a severe problem. While being filled, the container is disposed with its cylindrical element 12 pointed upwardly to receive a nozzle or the like 70. Note that prior to the insertion of the plug member, the tubular member is completely free of obstructions. This permits the nozzle to be inserted past the dispensing opening 34. In those instances where the filling nozzle is not inserted past the opening, the opening must be taped or otherwise closed. Here, a nozzle having a tapered surface 72 can be inserted into the cylinder 12 until it sealingly engages an inwardly directed flange 74. After filling, the nozzle is withdrawn, the plug 14 inserted, and the unit is ready for use. There is no requirement to seal opening 34.

in a general manner, while there has been disclosed in the above description, what is deemed to be practical and efficient embodiments of the invention, it should be well understood that the invention is not limited to such embodiments as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition, and form of the parts without departing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the accompanying claims.

lclaim:

1. A dispensing spout for use with a fluid-containing receptacle comprising;

a flexible tubular member having an inner end and an outer end and a dispensing opening formed therebetween;

first means for securing said inner end to said receptacle and communicating the interiors of said member and receptacle;

end wall means enclosing said outer end and composed of a material of substantial rigidity relative to said tubular member;

a valve member normally closing said dispensing opening;

and

second means for supporting said valve member attached to said end wall and extending from said end wall and axially inwardly of said tubular member, whereby said valve member is supported for substantially no movement upon a lateral compression of said tubular member which pressure moves the periphery of said opening away from said valve member.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein second means is an arm and said valve member has a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of said arm.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein the interior of said tubular member has a flat ledge and said dispensing opening is formed in said ledge.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said opening is circular and the closure surface of said valve member is spherical.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein said opening has a circular periphery of progressively increasing circumference from the interior to the exterior of said tubular member whereby a relatively flexible peripheral edge is presented to said closure surface.

6. The invention of claim 4, wherein a member of reduced cross section extends outwardly from said closure surface.

7. The invention of claim 3, wherein said opening is circular and said valve member is formed with a cavity at its outermost end, a ball member disposed in said cavity and having a surface normally in engagement with said dispensing opening.

8. The invention of claim 1, wherein said end wall is a plug and said outer end and said plug have cooperating surfaces in sealing engagement with each other. 

1. A dispensing spout for use with a fluid-containing receptacle comprising; a flexible tubular member having an inner end and an outer end and a dispensing opening formed therebetween; first means for securing said inner end to said receptacle and communicating the interiors of said member and receptacle; end wall means enclosing said outer end and composed of a material of substantial rigidity relative to said tubular member; a valve member normally closing said dispensing opening; and second means for supporting said valve member attached to said end wall and extending from said end wall and axially inwardly of said tubular member, whereby said valve member is supported for substantially no movement upon a lateral compression of said tubular member which pressure moves the periphery of said opening away from said valve member.
 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein second means is an arm and said valve member has a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of said arm.
 3. The invention of claim 2, whereIn the interior of said tubular member has a flat ledge and said dispensing opening is formed in said ledge.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said opening is circular and the closure surface of said valve member is spherical.
 5. The invention of claim 4, wherein said opening has a circular periphery of progressively increasing circumference from the interior to the exterior of said tubular member whereby a relatively flexible peripheral edge is presented to said closure surface.
 6. The invention of claim 4, wherein a member of reduced cross section extends outwardly from said closure surface.
 7. The invention of claim 3, wherein said opening is circular and said valve member is formed with a cavity at its outermost end, a ball member disposed in said cavity and having a surface normally in engagement with said dispensing opening.
 8. The invention of claim 1, wherein said end wall is a plug and said outer end and said plug have cooperating surfaces in sealing engagement with each other. 